Pinkwashing: What It Is And Why It Matters

If you use cosmetics, deodorant, shampoo, body wash, and feminine items, you may be exposing yourselves to pinkwashing – and dangerous toxins. What is pinkwashing? It’s actually a marketing ploy that brands use to sell more products by branding things with the color pink, even – not kidding here – fracking drill heads. Pinkwashing is generally done with a blind eye turned to the fact that many of these products that are pink-labeled actually contain more than a fair share of carcinogens – that is, known, cancer-causing agents. In fact, some of them even contribute to breast cancer itself.

You’ve probably seen the ads for “No Bra Day.” First of all, I’m not happy with this campaign but that’s my own choice. (Dude, I don’t a wear a bra any day unless I’m dressing up, and I’m not sure this isn’t sexualization.) What bothers me more is this talk of cancer awareness (who isn’t aware of breast cancer?) with NO talk of prevention.

The Dangers of Pinkwashing

True prevention means avoiding many of the toxic CRAP that is actually put in the products that wrap themselves in pink for October. Very little of the extra profits these companies make from pink packaging goes into research or, heaven forbid, prevention. And the word “cure” is owned by Susan B. Komen owns it, meaning other brands can’t use it. And keep in mind that traditional breast cancer treatment often causes another form of cancer. Some carcinogenic products that pinkwash while wrapping themselves in a breast cancer awareness label include:

Soup and other canned products. There have been studies showing a link between BPA and breast cancer. You can (and should) live without canned foods, anyway, they are predominantly loaded with MSG.

Even if you truly don’t believe BPA is toxic, the other companies that flagrantly flaunt pink this month are cosmetic companies, loaded with carcinogens from petroleum to formaldehyde.

Parabens are one of biggest offenders and it is in a LOT of beauty products.

Better nutrition.
There’s a ton of good, healthy, antioxidant (and BPA free) food out there. Reduce your GMOs and exposure to glyphosate by eating organic. Cut down the sugar. Cut out aspartame and food created in a lab. Kick out the preservatives and buy organic produce and dairy. Switch to grass-fed beef. Clean your water with reverse osmosis filters. In fact, consider working with a practitioner to detox your system.

Use technology wisely.
Did you see that story about the young woman who got a particularly aggressive form of breast cancer in her 20s? And after a double mastectomy, it came back? Her doctors were shocked. It turned out she used to keep her phone in her bra, exactly where she found the first tumor. Anecdotal? Yes, but let’s just say that wifi and E&M have been suspected of cancer for a lot longer than you think. Back in the 90s, we discussed it all the time when I worked in telecom. And a teacher told me about research he personally did finding links to cancer from technology back in 2000. Be safe with your devices. This also means reconsidering mammograms, a topic for another blog post entirely.

And finally, if your friend or family member has breast cancer and feels these groups or this cause has benefitted her, don’t go storming about this new thing that you just found or demonizing companies. My goal here is to enlighten you that perhaps these are not the best purchases for you or your family, and that safe, cleaner options are available without breaking the bank.

Living a nontoxic life is truly is its own reward. I can’t tell you that you won’t get cancer, but small changes, like removing carcinogenic products from your bath, beauty and personal care, can lower your risk of getting it.

Thanks Reesa! Yes, it’s a thing. Green washing is a thing too, just a bit different, where companies who make toxic products release a supposedly (but probably not) “green” line of ecofriendly products. Some companies are only about their bottom line unfortunately.

I was just talking with my husband about this today, it seems everything is pink this month but there is so little talk about prevention or about how much money goes back to actually supporting breast cancer.

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